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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Books Written by 
CHARLES WAYNE RAY 



Conditions of Life 

Is a very interesting little book that teaches valu- 
able lessons. Postpaid, 25 cents. 

Twentieth Century Christian 

Deals with the life and work of a Christian and 
the benefits that are gained by living right. Post- 
paid, 25 cents. 

Bible Questions Answered 

Contains 125 questions and answers on difficulties 
found in the Bible. This is a most useful and 
instructive book. This book is bound in cloth. 
Postpaid, 50 cents. 

The Radiant Life 
This book is elegantly and artistically bound in 
white vellum cloth; it is written in superb liter- 
ary language and style and deals with the social, 
economic, business and religious life of the indi- 
vidual. 

Bishop Mclntyre said of this book: "It is worthy 
a place in any home." Postpaid, $1.00. 

Heart Echoes 

This is a booklet of poems mostly written while 
the author was traveling in foreign countries and 
is very attractive. Postpaid, 25 cents. 

The Bright Side of Living 

Is a very dainty volume of 100 poems just from 
the pen of Nebraska's newest poet and deals with 
all varied phases of life. Every reader will be 
highly pleased with it. Bound in elegant vellum 
cloth. Postpaid, $1.00. 

Send orders for books to 

C. W. Ray, Lyons, Nebraska. 




Charles Wayne Ray, Poet 



THE BRIGHT SIDE OF 
LIVING 



■ET- 



CH ARLES WAYNE RAY, A. M., D. D., 

Author of 

"Bible Questions Jlnswered", "Heart Echoes" 
"The Radiant Life" Etc. 



Copyright, 1916, By 
CHARLES WAYNE RAY 

Right of translation reserved 



Publishers 
THE CLAFLIN PRINTING COMPANY 

University Place, Nebraska 







'CI.A4*»3yy51 



y-i , -r 



/ . 



CONTENTS 

Dedication _ 12 

The Happy Hoosier 13 

Keep Smiling _ 15 

Old Year Dying 16 

By the Sea of Galilee 18 

Summer Dreams 20 

The Bright Side of Living 20 

My House _ 22 

The Boy's Play 23 

Troubles That Never Come 23 

When a Feller Needs a Friend 24 

Tim Penny 25 

Why I Stole 26 

Jesus Save Me 27 

Faith 28 

The Dawn at Sea .'. 28 

The Starry Night 29 

Mother 30 

Acrostic 30 

Thinking 31 

Poetical Medley 32 

Standing Alone 33 

Battle of Life 35 

Don't be in a Hurry 35 

Crossing the Delaware 36 

Weep With Him 37 

Springtime in the Woodland 38 

Song of the Bird 39 

My Little Farm 40 

Th' Auld Gate 41 

The Fussy Farmer 41 



10 The Bright Side of Living 

Happy Farmer 42 

Nebraska Gem of the Prairie 43 

Sorrow Everywhere 46 

The Miser 47 

The Highway 47 

True to Your Duty 48 

Slaying an Enemy 48 

Waiting Time 49 

I Want to Keep Living 50 

Curing Gossipers 51 

Only a Tear 52 

At Virgil's Tomb 53 

The Arab Bedouins — . 54 

My Neighbor 55 

Faithful Mohammedan 56 

My Friend 57 

The North Wind 58 

The Broken Heart 59 

John Luschen , 59 

Buying a Gun 60 

Hide Away 61 

Bella Signorina 61 

Happy Lives 62 

Venice the Beautiful 62 

Back to Italy 64 

Call of the Sea 65 

Count Yourself Rich 66 

Man is Often Blind 66 

Loch-Lomond 67 

The Honest Laddie — . 68 

The Unnoticed 69 

Those Troubles 70 

How the Soul Lives , 71 

Funny World 72 

King Pharaoh 73 

The Poor Dog 74 

Dreary Old Age 75 



The Bright Side of Living 11 

Winter Has Come 75 

Keine Brot 76 

Meine Heimat 77 

My Cottage 77 

The Beggar Boy 77 

Writing Verses 79 

Mercy Show 79 

I Love Him 80 

Getting a Welcome.... 81 

Sleep 81 

The Night Before Christmas 82 

Tomorrow is Christmas 83 

Nature's Temple 83 

Acrostic 84 

The Poet's Theology 84 

The Broken Pansy 85 

Fleeting Life 86 

Easter 86 

The Red Bird 87 

You're Out 87 

Work 88 

Man's Fate 89 

The Good Man Dies 90 

The Window of the Soul 90 

When all Our Ships Come in 91 

Waitin' for Fame 92 

The Halted Traveler 94 

Abraham Lincoln , 95 

Sonnet of Gladness 96 

The Dying Soldier 97 

Eulogy to Our Heroes 98 

The End of the Road 99 

A Misty Day 100 

Evening Bells 101 

Pushing Out to Sea : 102 

Home at Last 103 



DEDICATION 

To the precious memory of my true 
devoted parents, William, R. Ray and 
Hester A. Ray, of Riley, Indiana, 
this little volume of poems is ten^ 
derly and lovingly dedicated by 
THE AUTHOR. 



The Bright Side of Living 13 

THE HAPPY HOOSIER 

I met a happy Hoosier on a summer day, 
* ' Give me a dime, ' ' lie said, ' ' I pray. ' ' 

But I said to him, "I'm broke you see. 
You can have any dime you find on me.'* 

"When I informed him I was broke 
He didn't even v^ait to joke; 

But a happy Hoosier still was he 
Although he got no dime from me. 

Then he hastened away without a frown 
As tho' I had given him half a crown. 

I don't know why we need to cry 
Or often heave a mournful sigh. 

Whether in truth you're really broke 
Or just pretend it in a joke. 

If you travel round in this big world, 
You'll find a lot lof folks need gold ; 

For, 0, so many that you see 

Have just been broke, or soon will be. 

But what is gained by feeling bad? 
Cheer up my friend, and don't look sad; 

For it doesn't cost much to give a smile 
But it will wear for many a mile. 

I am so glad the air is free 
And so is talk in some degree; 

But when you've money, don't forget 
To pay your bills without regret. 



14 The Bright Side of Living 

Now happy Hoosier come again 
And always make your story plain ; 

Speak to the point and don't stretch out 
All the news you know about; 

For there 're so many bores in life 
Who fill the world with pesky strife ; 

They yisit with such a clattering tongue 
That you are glad when thej are gone. 

Let me kindly you implore 
Leave in time to call once more. 

Happy Hoosier keep your smile, 
It will wear for many a mile ; 

In the sunshine, in the shadow, 
On the hilltop, in the meadow, 

Even when the world is dark 
In your heart may be a spark. 

Never waver in your scheme 
If you have a worthy theme. 

Happy Hoosier keep the track 
For you'll draw some others back, 

Who, in other days gone by 
Left the path but heaved a sigh. 

Out in doubt and deep dismay 
They have spent the long, long day. 

Now to you is left a mission. 
Go on a divine commission: 



The Bright Side of Living 15 

Cheerful, glad and happy be 
Good luck ever stay with thee; 

Keep your smile, altho' you're broke 
It's a treasure, not a joke. 



KEEP SMILING 

Just keep on a smilin' 

And scatter all frowns away, 
Then your life will be more happy 

And your heart will be more gay. 

For the smiles will cure the blues; 

Then let the sunshine in, 
And cheerfulness will help you 

In all your struggles to win. 

So don't forget your smilin' 
When the day is dark and drear, 

And the task is long and irksome 
And no one says ''take cheer." 



0, it's smilin' always smilin' 

That'll brighten the darkest day. 

Yes, 'twill fill your soul with heaven 
And 'twill lengthen out your pay ; 

For frowns and scowls and worries 
Kill many big, strong men, 

And defeat them in their duties, 
Hindering nine out of ten. 



16 The Bright Side of Living 

But smilin' lifts the heavy heart 
And brightens the eye that's dim; 

It fills and thrills and generates 
The povrer that gives men vim. 

So, break up the frov^ns and wrinkles 
With many happy daily smiles; 

And your heart w^ill keep a &ingin' 
While you travel miles of smiles. 



THE OLD YEAR DYIN' 

I was jist a thinkin' 

How the year is almost past, 
Ah, this very night I'm thinkin'. 

Is the night that goes the last. 

I am thinkin' of the days 

That one by one sped by 
And now it seems a little sad 

The old year soon must die. 

But dyin' comes to everything, 
To man and beast and bird. 

And I reckon it comes to passin' time 
As you have often heard. 

If I could jist go back a step 
And change a day or two, 

I vwuldn't be a carin' 

If time and I were through. 



The Bright Side of Living 17 

But it's jist as true as ever 

That a day we can't recall, 
But it's also very pleasant 

God is good to each and all. 

So I am jist a thinkin' 

Of the good I've tried to do 
While the old year is a dyin' 

And the new a comin' too. 

But, as I keep a thinkin' 

To me it's doubly sad 
To know so many duties 

I've done so very bad. 

I couldn't be a saint 

Like Uncle Deacon Brown, 
And always keep a wearin' , 

My religion and a crown; 

For cows I've been a milkin' 

And pigs a feedin' too 
And workin' all around the farm 

To get a cent or two. 

But cows and pigs don't care a whit 
Whether you're a saint or sinner, 

But if they're cold and hungry 
They simply want their dinner. 

That's jist why I'm a thinkin' 

About the year that's past; 
And wonderin' how it happens 

I lived to see the last. 



18 The Bright Side of Living 

Well, I jist about decided 
That God does not intend 

That I should break my neck 
Tryin' all my ways to mend. 

Yes, I hear a bell a ringin' 

And its chimes are very sweet; 

I think it is our sexton 
A callin' us to meet. 

So I must be a goin' 
And thinkin' as I go; 

For the old year is a dyin' 
And the new a comin' too. 



BY THE SEA OF GALILEE 

(This poem was written by Rev. Chas. Wayne Ray, D.D., 
on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, June 23, 1907, while 
he was on a tour of the Holy Land.) 

It is on a Sunday's morning 

All alone I speak to Thee, 
As I'm sitting by the sea-side 

On the shores of Galilee. 

Can it be. Oh, Lord of Heaven, 

That I'm here beside the sea; 
All alone beside the waters 

In the land of Galilee? 

Oh, beautiful sea of Galilee, 

My hand I bathe in thee. 
As thy billows wash the lea 

Where my Jesus used to be. 



The Bright Side of Living 19 

Here my Savior w^alked in darkness 

As He sought to save the lost; 
And to care for His disciples 

As their ship in danger tossed. 

Long, long years have passed since then 
Yet my Lord will come once more, 

To welcome home on the glory shore 
Many whose sorrows are o'er. 

Help me Jesus, by the sea-side 

To surrender all to Thee ; 
And to always love and cherish 

All that God would have me be. 

Help me Savior now to enter 

In a closer walk with Thee ; 
May my all to Thee be given 

On the shores of Galilee. 

Yes, I'm coming blessed Jesus, 

For that fellowship divine, 
And I learn from Holy Scripture 

All those blessings shall be mine. 

Now I see my way is open 

At the door my Savior stands; 
Soon I'll run to greet Him 

And to clasp His blessed hands. 

The act is done, Oh Prince of Peace, 
And I have once more found release, 

Seal my deed with solemn grace. 
May my joys of Heaven increase. 



20 The Bright Side op Living 

Now I'm sitting by the sea 
As the waves leap up to me, 

Each one sparkling seems to say 

"Trust the Lord, and you'll be free.'* 

So I'm sitting here alone, 

Far from friends and far from home ; 
Only two, my Lord and me 

On the shores of Galilee. 



SUMMER DREAMS 

The sweet dreams of the summer 
Of the field and bird and rose, 

Open to me the charms and beauties 
That in the woodlands do repose. 

The fragrance of the flowers bloom 
Kissed my sad cheek with a smile, 

Now as I work the long, long day 
I feel that life's worth while. 

But summer soon is gone and then — 
Comes the winter snow so cold, 

But I will cherish the summer dreams 
For they're better to me than gold. 



THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIVING 

Man's life is more than a living to make. 
Death more than a grave in which to lay, 

But touched by a tenderness divine 
That man shall with God's angels play. 



The Bright Side of Living 21 

A good heart is always a splendid thing 
For it gives man hope which is sublime, 

And dispels all fears and false alarms, 

Then whispers, ''Live throughout all time." 

Our lives are just what we make them 
And we are making them every day; 

They cannot be all sorrow nor all gay 
Nor will they be all winter nor all May. 

But sunshine and shadows — joy and pain — 
Cold frosty winter and SAveetness of spring, 

Are some of the cares and pleasures 
That to you this world will bring. 

But brightest and best of all living 

And no man is ever denied that delight. 

Is the heart that's happy and contented. 
And bears no wild fear of the night. 

Bright days of yore — bright days before — 
Thine own forever shall one day be, 

So why fuss around and always complain 
If the bright side of life you would see. 

Keep smiling when your heart is heavy 
And sing when your cupboard is bare, 

Then the birds will come and feed you 
And you will have plenty to spare. 

Oh, why should we ever go fretting, 

Bending low with our burdens and care, 

"When the world is so bright and so happy 
And the bright side is found everywhere. 



22 The Bright Side of Living 

So I'll smile when the days are cloudy, 
And sing when the cupboard is bare, 

For I've found the bright side of living 
And the world has for me little care. 



MY HOUSE 



I will lay away 

A penny a day 
To buy a home 

In which to stay; 
But a long, long time 

It is sure to be 
Before I can pay 

My home all free. 

But just the same 

I mean to try, 
And save some pennies 

Before I die. 
But a penny a day 

Comes in so slow 
It seems my pennies 

"Will never grow. 

Working for pennies 

For many a day, 
I saved up five 

For my house to pay. 
So my house is built 

And I feel safer, 
For it's all made up 

Of thick brown paper. 



The Bright Side of Living 23 

THE BOY'S PLAY 

Come sit on my knee, little man, 
And listen to what I shall say, 

For the summer will soon be g-one 
And so will the summer play. 

The winter's cold wind and snow 
"Will drive all the birdies away, 

And the posies like those you picked, 
Frozen on the ground will lay. 

But do not weep, my little man. 

For the winter play will come, 
And jolly sleigh ride and rabbit hunt 

Will lure you out from your home. 

No one likes these sudden changes 
From cold winter to the spring. 

But all through life they're coming 
And they'll joy or sorrow bring. 

So always live, my little man. 

The best you can each day, 
"Whether at the hardest work 

Or in the happiest kind of play. 



TROUBLES THAT NEVER COME 

The troubles that never come 
Make the hair of many gray, 

And the sorrows that some carry 
Could have been left by the way. 



24 The Bright Side of Living 

The fearing and the fainting heart 
Weakened by a fancied loss, 

Is the one that often pines the most 
And feeds on ashes and dross. 

Then why should a mortal man 
Yield to a deceptive foe, 

And why will he allow himself 
To be enslaved by a mythical woe? 

0, man, awake and arise 
And with courage enter the fray, 

Do not go forth in pining 

But battle for right each day. 



WHEN A FELLER NEEDS A FRIEND 

May I ask you one plain question — 
And I'll on your word depend — 

''Please answer me in honest truth, 
When does a feller need a friend?" 

I'll tell you what I truly think. 
And for you will theories bend. 

As I point you to that cloudy day 
When a feller needs a friend. 

It's the day when your money's gone 
And to you nobody will a penny lend. 

When you've no job and are awful sick — 
That's when a feller needs a friend. 

It's when the cold world does condemn 
And no one will rise and you defend, 

When your honor's trampled in the dust — 
Then's when a feller needs a friend. 



The Bright Side of Living 25 

It's when you've lost your store and all, 
And broken fortune you're too old to mend, 

When you give up hope and cease to try — 
That's when a feller needs a friend. 

When you feel all alone in the world 

And there are none to whom you can send 

To ask for a lift to get started again — 
Then's when a feller needs a friend. 

0, if somebody only knew and would help 
Those who are ready to sever life 's trend. 

And render them kindly deeds of love — 
For that's a time a feller needs a friend. 

But let us all remember as we live 
It's just as needful to be that friend 

And help the man who's down in the world 
As it is for the feller who needs a friend. 

He needs your help to rise and journey on 
And you need his painful wants to attend, 

To enlarge and cause your heart to grow 
For God and the feller who needs a friend. 



TIM PENNY 

Tim Penny was a Christian man 

I guess you heard him say, 
But he never did a lick of work 

And said he couldn't pray. 

But yet Tim always went to church 

And never missed one day, 
But he would knock the Sunday school 

And yet he wouldn't pay. 



26 The Bright Side of Living 

The preacher and the choir came in 
For a load of fiery blame, 

The ladies' aid and the stewards — 
He gave them hell the same. 

But Tim v^as not an apostate 
Made vile — but yet no better, 

For he v^as just a chronic kicker 
And he lived it to the letter. 

No one could please. Tim Penny 
For he'd alv^ays growl and fuss, 

He saw some bad in every saint 
And would die if he didn't cuss. 

So when you meet a grumbler 
And hear him whine and fuss, 

Please think of old Tim Penny 
Who died when he couldn't cuss. 



WHY I STOLE 

I stole and what do you think 
That all my friends will say 

When they hear that I was wicked 
And did act in this bad way? 

I know just what they'll think 
And the brand they'll put on me; 

They'll call me 'Hhief and robber 
And a lost man he will be." 

All know stealing is not right 
And that men should honest be, 

But on me they'll show no mercy. 
For I'm a preacher as you see. 



The Bright Side of Living 27 

But now I really do not know 

Why I should act so bad, 
To steal when I ought not to 

For my Bible says it is bad. 

My friends don't be too hard on me, 
Please don't blame me when I say, 

That I was so tired and weary 

That I simply stole away, (to rest.) 



JESUS SAVE ME 

Jesus, save me, ever save me, 
When my feet are on the brink; 

Come thou near and lift me 
Lest I in the mire shall sink. 

Save me from the luring tide 
When my heart is beating low; 

Be ever near and turn me back 
When I to the pit must go. 

Jesus save me from the fall 

When the storms of passion roll; 

Be the Watchman at my gate ; 
Come thou Guardian of my soul. 

Jesus save us every moment 
As we through the valley go; 

Help us find the faith of power 
And to use all that we know. 



28 The Bright Side op Living 

FAITH 

I want a faith that's growing, 
Ever reaching out and knowing, 
And always ready in bestowing 
Many good deeds daily sowing. 

A faith that does believe in all. 
That doubts can never thrall, 
But puts its trust in great and small 
And listens daily to God's call. 

Faith is ever man's vital need, 
For without faith the heart will bleed, 
And high and low should intercede 
The cry of faith God will always heed. 



THE DAWN AT SEA 

The sparkling sun lit up the dawn 
And kissed the crystal billows. 

So every wave with a silver thread 
Looked like the snow-capped willows. 

A day so bright cheers every heart 
And kills our selfish notions, 

For as our ship sails proudly on 
We have no sad commotions. 

Bright day at sea continue on 
And give us dreams galore, 

So may we live and shout to see 
That land we left before. 



The Bright Side of Living 29 

For every day's a little life 

The setting sun cloth close, 
And every heart however sad 

Will smile to scent a rose. 

Then peaceful, quiet, silvery sea 

Bear our ship to yonder shore, 
And safe at home from ocean roam 

Your charms we shall adore. 



THE STARRY NIGHT 

A misty veil falls on the earth, 
The sun goes out of sight, 

The little stars peep out at you 
And whisper, ''it is night." 

The birds go home to roost, 
The cattle and horses rest. 

While all about the veil of night 
Makes man and nature blest. 

There is a solemn loveliness 
About the starry night 

That makes man always feel 
The blessings of the right. 

Then view it from the hilltop 
As the curtain rolls below, 

And watch the chasing stars 
As forever on they go. 

There is no grander beauty 
Than the quiet starry night, 

As it drops the veil of sleep 
And fastens the eyelids tight. 



30 The Bright Side of Living 

Then sleep and be refreshed 
For the night is nature's friend, 

And it will always come and go 
Until the earth shall end. 



MOTHER 



I had a mother once, 

And so great was she 
That all my troubles lighter grew 

When she would say : 
"Cheer up, my boy, 

There'll be some brighter day.'* 



ACROSTIC 

Voices of the lilies 

In the meadow and the dell, 

Calling man to duties 

That in future years will tell 

Of the sweetest golden pleasures. 

Rich in blessing for thy soul, 

You may reach this happy goal. 



ACROSTIC 

How many are God's blessings 
Open to us every day, 
Promises of His goodness 
Ever cheer us on the way! 



The Bright Side of Living 31 

THINKING 

Think, boy think, as you older grow 
And many a valuable lesson know^, 
For thinking makes the young mind grow, 
And in the life will blessings show. 

Think, and then will thy path be clear 
And you shall miss the many a tear 
That does so oft in the face appear, 
For thinking not makes man to fear. 

Think, and you can chain the air 
And to the heavens build a stair; 
Then make thy home so happy and fair, 
At night you'll sit in your evening chair. 

Think, and time shall wait for thee 
And mark the stages that shall be 
In your upward climb of wholesome glee 
For honor, fame and fortune you shall see. 

Think, and the rushing crowds will stay 
To hear what you will have to say. 
And you shall mould like softened clay 
The minds of men, both near and far away. 

Think, and power of soul shall rest 
Within thy mind and in thy breast, 
And you shall be most nobly blest 
Then gain from earth the very best. 



32 The Bright Side of Living 

POETICAL MEDLEY 

Long, long days 
In their frays 
Time soon betrays 
But never stays. 
Man often prays 
And then delays 
In his evil ways 
And resolution slays. 
The boy portrays 
In the month of Mays, 
Children have plays, 
The girls wear stays. 
Forests have jays, 
The sun has rays 
That makes the grays 
In the ocean sprays 
At the middays. 
The general arrays, 
The captain hoorays, 
"When the stowaways 
No fare ever pays, 
When the tide sways 
To the open bays 
Of the distant Malays. 
Kings have their says 
And send large relays, 
Bearing golden trays 
To open leeways 
When some critic flays 
Their many holidays. 
But poets write lays 
And hope for repays. 



The Bright Side of Living 33 

For poems always 
Dread fear allays, 
But never prepays 
Wisdom that brays, 
But soon decays 
Like nev5^-mov7n hays. 



STANDING ALONE 

Long ago in a broad v^ide field. 
Near a road stood a lonely tree, 

Battered and torn by many a vrind 
Still it stood there in its glee. 

For beaten by the blasting storm 
And tested in v^^inter and summer, 

Bov^ing and bending still it grew 
And it stood there all the stronger. 

It grasped every tussle with the wind 
As alone it seemed each year to say, 

The oak that stands alone in the field 
Oft remains there for many a day. 

A lone boy worked at a hard daily task 
While the others went off to play, 

And day after day he stronger grew 
As he constantly worked away. 

Until he stood at the end of the race, 
Tested and tempered and very strong, 

And admired and honored by every one 
There he lived after working so long. 



84 The Bright Side of Living 

Yonder a lone man battled day after day 
In the struggle with vice and sin, 

And after every failure would say, 
*'I11 keep on in the fight and vdn.'' 

Year after year he battled alone 
With appetite, passion and pride. 

And like the lonely oak in the storm 
He struggled away with the tide. 

But the lone man stood undaunted 
■ When he kept the Cross in view. 

When appetite, passion and pride came up 
What struggles he had none knew. 

But after the battle the lone man stood 
The victor at the close of life, 

And brightly smiling was heard to say, 
*' 'Tis the end of my long bitter strife." 

<<Por year after year I struggled away 
Against poverty and vice and sin. 

But no man ever came and said to me, 
'Keep on in the struggle and win\" 



THE MORAL 

When you see a lone man battle 
Against the dread forces of sin. 

Step up and take him by the hand 
And say, ''Hold fast and you'll win.'' 



The Bright Side of Living 35 

BATTLE OF LIFE 

In every place you'll alv^ays find 
It's a struggle to win your vray, 

But honor and pay is sure to come 
If you battle on day after day. 

No matter how hard you're hit in the fight 
Or how big was your blackened eye, 

Be a man and jump to your feet again 
And the next time much harder try. 

The world is big — there 's plenty of room 
For the man that ceases not to try, 

And although you've failed many times 
Never give up life's battle and sigh. 

For all have failed in some hard task 
And were pushed aside in the race, 

But time and the power of a giant will 
Shall bring you to your chosen place. 



DONT BE IN A HURRY 

Don't be too hasty to say all you think, 
Time may alter your thoughts in a blink. 

Don't be too ready the gossip to hear; 
Help to defend when the tattler is near. 

Don't render judgment till both sides you hear. 
For often men's judgments do wrongly appear. 

Don't be in a hurry to tell all you know, 
For after the telling, a lie will soon grow. 

Don't be in a hurry to live out your life; 
Take time to live it without bitter strife. 



36 The Bright Side of Living 

CROSSING THE DELAWARE 

It was a dark, cold night 

And the waves were leaping high, 
But the Father of our country 

Was determined to win or die. 

Neither snow, rain nor the broken ice. 
Nor the river's foaming tide 

Could baffle the courage of such a man 
Nor shake his valiant pride. 

So into the little boats they climbed 

The soldiers one by one, 
And just before the break of day 

Crossing the Delaware was done. 

On to the town of Trenton, 

Through rain and falling snow. 

Those brave Colonial soldiers 
Marching on to win, they go. 

They charged the British Hessians 
And they captured every one, 

And new was the fame of Washington 
That glistened in the morning sun. 

For this capture of one thousand 
On that cold December morn. 

Revived the hopeless soldiers 
Who had been almost forlorn. 

But the war has long been over 
And those soldiers sleep and rest, • 

But the crossing of the Delaware 
Was their most trying test. 



The Bright Side of Living 37 



** America's freedom will now be gained," 
Said those brave men one by one, 

As they marched at the word of Washington 
After crossing the Delaware was done. 



WEEP WITH HIM 

If you could know the heartaches 

That destroyed all the vim 
Of your dear friend of years ago, 

You needs must weep with him. 

And had you heard the troubles v 

That made his face so grim; i 

Then if his story all was told 
Yiou needs must weep with him. 

Then as the beggar tells of his woe. 
Of the biting cold and hunger grim, 

When his troubles all are told. 
You needs must weep with him. 

Weeping and moaning with bleeding face 
The drunkard groans with a bitter whim 

But when his sorrows all are told, 
You needs must weep with him. 

When your boy comes crying from his play 
With his kite torn from the rim; 

After you hear of that broken kite, 
You needs must weep with him. 

The poor man begs for a loaf of bread 
And shivers as you look at him; 

But could you see the want in his home 
You needs must weep with him. 



38 The Bright Side of Living 

In every life if you could see 

How heartache, pain and w^oe bedim 

And taste the cup each one must drink, 
You needs must weep with him. 

So when the journey of life is o'er 
And time brings you up to Him; 

After you've heard how Christ did suffer, 
You needs must weep with him. 



SPRINGTIME IN THE WOODLAND 

I walked in the woodland valleys 

Where the flowers were sweet and gay, 

And I heard the robbins singing 
For it was the month of May. 

The trees above, the grass beneath. 
And the songs of awakened spring 

Caused every tree and plant and flower 
To me love's message bring. 

The singing birds and blooming flowers 
And the cheerful songs of life, 

Just filled my hungry soul so full 
There was no room for strife. 

So all day long I feasted there 

In the forest by the sea, 
And into my soul a flood of song 

The little birds sang to me. 

The warm spring brings into my heart 

The joys of a new born love. 
And into the woods I'll walk again 
For the cooing of the mating dove. 



The Bright Side of Living 39 

So whistle and sing the sweetest song, 

And oft in the woodland stray, 
For out of your soul the birds will drive 

The most bitter sorrow away. 



SONG OF THE BIRD 

Chick-a-dee-dee, a birdie sang, 
And he sang so happy and free; 

In winter and summer thus he sang: 
Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee. 



The tune he sang was very sweet 
And it cheered us, I must say, 

But when he missed to come and sing 
That was a long, long day. 

At early dawn his little song 
Stirred us to greet the sun, 

And then at night his evening song 
Made time more fast to run. 

Sing birdie, sing chick-a-dee-dee, 

. Thy song we love to hear, 
For there is rythm in your tune 
And music in our ear. 

Chick-a-dee-dee, how sweet ii sounds 
As you sing it early and late, 

And I do believe within my heart 
That you're singing for j^our mate. 



40 The Bright Side of Living 

MY LITTLE FARM 

Long I've dreamed and waited 

To buy a little farm, 
For I want to leave the city 

And bask in nature's charm. 

I want to eat the sunshine 

And drink in the fragrant air, 

I want to live near nature 
And listen to its prayer. 

So good-bye busy city 
I am going to my farm, 

"Where little birds and flowers 
Will teach no false alarm. 

I will plant some corn and berries 
And will harvest all my hay, 

I shall pick the beans and pumpkins 
And will sometimes try to pray. 

Yes, I'm movin' to the country 
Where it's big and air is free, 

So I'll say good-bye old city 
For I'm parting now from thee. 

I will listen to birds and flowers 
And walk by the running stream. 

There I '11 live with Gtod and nature 
And with joy my life will gleam. 



The Bright Side of Living 41 

TH' AULD GATE 

Meet me my bonnie lassie, 

Come down to the auld gate, 
And I will by the lowland come 

But fear I may be late. 

I hae nae aiver — so I must walk, 

But I'll come all the way, 
Along the road by Loch-Katrine 

I'll turn in by the brae. 

The bonnie lassie true was she 

And stood lang at the gate. 
But niver mer her lover came 

Although she lang did wait. 

The lad and lassie ne'er did meet 

Down by that auld hame gate, 
For the laddie found a broken brig 

And there he lang did wait. 

So now the laddie's heart is wae 

But the lassie, she is gay. 
For a laddie wi' a' aiver came 

From over the highland Avay. 



THE FUSSY FARMER 

A farmer was so very cross 
As the summer went right on. 

And the reason why he made a fuss 
Was the frost upon his corn. 



42 The Bright Side of Living 

''All my labor is lost," said he, 
''And bleak winter soon will come. 

And I've no hay for my horse or cow, 
No bread or meat in my home. 



J > 



"Then you shall die, you fussy man," 
The north wind howled away, 

And the fussy farmer began to think 
What he to the wind should say. 

But the bright sun warmed the earth 
And the frost all melted away. 

Then the fussy farmer found in the fall 
That he had plenty of corn and hay. 

His labor was not lost at all, 
But all his crops were good, 

And the fussy farmer in the fall 
Found that he was blessed of God. 

Don't be in a hurry to fuss, my man; 

Don't damn and curse the earth, 
For if God don't come the devil will 

Then you shall have a new hearth. 



HAPPY FARMER 

A farmer sat in his easy chair. 
Smoking his pipe of clay. 

Watching the little clouds of smoke 
As they slowly floated away. 

I have planted corn each year 
And harvested my wheat and hay, 

Always raised some hogs and cows 
And have made my farm to pay. 



The Bright Side of Living 43 

But now we're old, my wife and I, 

Yet long we toiled together ; 
Some days were dark — some work hard — 

But we labored in all kinds of weather. 

We planned and worked and saved 
And always tried to do our best, 

But now the working days are o'er 
And we're going to take our rest. 

"We'll go and visit Tom and Bill 

And try that city life awhile, 
Yes, we'll take it easy, wife and I 

For we've traveled nigh on sixty mile. 

Yes, the farm is all paid out, 

But it took a long, long time, 
how we pinched and saved 

And did not even waste a dime. 

But those were happy days for us 
For our hearts were always glad, 

When sorrows came, we trusted God 
And they did not seem so bad. 

The joy we had in our planning 
Brought the sunshine in our home, 

And now after sixty years are passed 
We can claim it for our own. 



NEBRASKA GEM OF THE PRAIRIE 

It is like a dream of yesterday 
That chases pleasant thoughts away. 
As we travel back for fifty years 
And watch the coyotes chase the steers. 



44 The Bright Side of Living 

Over the prairies broad and wide, 
Rolling west from the Missouri side, 
Dotted with valleys and wasted plains 
With buffalo grass and sage brush chains. 

For five hundred miles it stretches away 
Untilled and unsettled for many a day, 
'Twas a seeming tract of worthless land 
Claimed by a roaming Indian band 

That hunted the buffalo, fox and bear 
And traveled and camped but didn't care 
To plow and sow this vast domain 
For undisputed had been their claim. 

But one stormy day a stranger came 
A Yankee farmer was this man's name. 
Who viewed the prairie land with pride 
And thought he'd for one year abide — 

To see if corn and wheat and rye 
Would grow for him if he would try 
To plow and sow this western plain 
For land back east was a costly strain. 

So he built a hut with the earthly sod 
And began to struggle with sand and sod. 
But year after year this Yankee stayed, 
Not because farming in this new land paid. 

But each passing year caused him to see 
That he was poorer than he used to be, 
And so he could not move and get away, 
But in this wild land he had to stay. 



The Bright Side of Living 45 

Then Germans, Swiss and Belgians came 
With purposes all about the same; 
They wanted a home and one fair chance, 
So many picked homesteads in advance. 

But now these fifty years are sped 
And that w^orthless land is a flower bed. 
It is rich as any soil that doth lay 
Along the path of the farmer's way. 

Go travel the valleys and prairie plains 
Of Nebraska farms of fruits and grains, 
And beautiful farm houses you will see 
As fine as any farmer's home need be. 

Gone is the buffalo, bear and coyote too, 
And the state has gained in wealth most true, 
Until towns and cities dot every plain 
And to market the railroads carry the grain. 

The schools and churches are the very best 
And our boys and girls pass the Harvard test, 
While in every part of this western state 
The peiople are strong and rich and great. 

They have always nurtured wholesome power 
And have stood for advancement every hour. 
They have built an empire vast and great 
And named it Nebraska before 'twas a state. 

Chorus : 
0, Nebraska, the gem of the prairie, 
The home of the true and the merry. 
Stretch away, stretch away in glory, 
The coming years will tell a story 
Of thy greatness, wealth and power to be 
For thy people are loyal, pure and free. 



The Bright Side of Living 

SORROW EVERYWHERE 

A little bird sang a song in a tree 
But he sang in a sad refrain, 

And I wondered why his little tune 
Had such a gloomy strain. 

One day a little boy cried out, 
Who lived just over the way; 

With a broken heart he cried 

And moaned all the livelong day. 

Then into a humble home I went 

But sat in a long reverie, 
For a mother with tear-stained eyes 

Poured out her sorrows to me. 

Slowly I walked up over the hill 
And kept walking so far away 

Till I came at last to a villa 
That overlooked the sea so gray. 

I'll enter here, I said to myself, 
And feast with the rich and gay ; 

Here I'll forget the sorrows I met 
This beautiful sunshiny day. 

A strong brawny man bowed to enter 
And pushed out a chair toward me 

As he brushed a stream of tears 
And turned his face to the sea. 

Then he wept as he told his story, 
With his head bowed to the floor. 

For more sad was he than boy or bird. 
As deep sorrow had entered his door. 



The Bright Side op Living 47 

Thus everywhere I have traveled 
Through the land and over the sea; 

I have found some gloom of sorrow 
Poured from every heart to me. 



THE MISER 



There is no voice can wake the soul 
Of him whose heart is hard and cold, 

Who hoards his money all his life 
And sells himself a slave to gold. 

could he see the world's delight 
And taste the pleasures of one day, 

Of living in unselfish bliss 
He'd scatter all his gold away. 

No longer in that greed of gain 
Would his poor soul be found, 

But like a prisoned bird set free 
His heart would leap and bound. 

**But I will pass his cottage by 
And waste no time with him," 

The angel said and winged his flight 
And left the miser fast and grim. 



THE HIGHWAY 

My lassie '11 take the highway, 
But I'll gae by the brae, 

And I'll be hame in the evening, 
But where vnll my lassie gae? 



48 The Bright Side of Living 

TRUE TO YOUR DUTY 

Fear not to do your duty 
Even though it is very hard, 

But remember in the doing 
Neglect v^ill sure retard. 

Be faithful in the small deeds, 
Do each one your very best, 

And never shun nor shirk them 
For they are your final test. 

Be true to the vt^ork you're given 
And ne'er desert your post. 

When the books of life are opened 
You'll rank in the heavenly host. 



SLAYING AN ENEMY 

It was a hard, hard fight 

And many a scar had I, 
For all night long I fought 

Till I thought I'd surely die; 

But still I fought like a Tartar 
All through that night of pain, 

And V7ondered if v^hen morning came 
My enemy would be slain. 

At last I made an awful hit 
And thought the conflict o'er, 

But when I looked for my enemy 
He gave me one dig more. 



The Bright Side of Living 49 

So all night long I fought my foe 
And hoped at early dawn to see 

That I my bitter foe had slain. 
Morning came — I only found a flea. 



WAITING TIME 

Waiting at the gateway 

Is what most of us have done, 
And looking for the coming 
Of a certain loving one. 

We've asked it o'er and o'er: 
'*I wonder why he is so late," 

But still we kept on waitin', 
Down by the old garden gate. 

This is one sad part of living 
And it seems it's always been, 

That some keep others waitin' 
Till the shades of night come in. 

Mother, father, wife and sweetheart 
Oft have waited long in fear, 

But there came no word of comfort 
And the waiting was so drear. 

Some keep waiting to begin 

What long ago they should have done, 
Waiting for the shoes of dead men 

Or for fortune to come from some one. 

Waiting to build their own home. 
Or to move from the city to a farm, 

They've wasted a score of years 
And the waste was shiftless harm. 



50 The Bright Side of Living 

If man would only do today 
With all his might and power, 

The duties that the day requires 
In the sunshine and the shower, 

He would change many stormy clouds 
And be far richer on tomorrow, 

For like a noble king he'd be 

Shielding himself from many a sorrow. 



I WANT TO KEEP LIVING 

Brighter, still brighter 

My soul grows each day. 
For I am always trying 

To find the brightest way., 

And I find it very easy 

So will give the reason why. 

For the brightest day of living 
Is some day before you die. 

For living is just doing 

The deeds you've always done. 
But filling them with sunshine 

And not missing any one. 

So I want to keep a living 

Until I have to die, 
For the brightest day of living 

Is some day before you die. 

The brightest day of living 

Is the day that's passing now; 

If you will just remember 

And wear a smile upon your brow. 



The Bright Side of Living 51 

The brightest day of living 

Is this day that we live now, 
If you'll fill it full of sunshine 

And carry smiles upon your brow. 



CURING GOSSIPERS 

John Barley had a billy goat 
That wore a long necktie, 

And he fed him on foul gossip ers 
Till the goat thought he'd die. 

John Barley took his goat so sick 
To a sewing bee one day, 

And after he'd been there awhile 
They gave him a little tea. 

The goat began to sniff and sneeze 
And out jumped gossipers, three ; 

At once the goat began to mend 
And soon was well and free. 

Now when he's fed on gossipers 

He runs to a sewing bee, 
For he can always sniff and sneeze 

When he gets a little tea. 

At a sewing bee with a little tea 
The gossipers jump out quick. 

So what's the use for men or goats 
From the gossipers to be sick. 

For if you've had some gossipers 
Just run to a sewing bee, 

And you'll be cured in a little while 
When you've had a little tea. 



52 The Bright Side of Living 



ONLY A TEAR 

'Twas only a tear 

That fell from her face, 
As she labored and suffered 

All the day in her place. 

'Twas only a tear 

On her cheek so fair, 
But after it dried 

The burn was still there. 

'Twas only a tear 
But it burned its way, 

And wrinkles were left 
On her face to stay. 

'Twas only a tear 
As the night came on, 

But her heart was broken 
For her lover was gone. 

'Twas only a tear, 
But it told of that love, 

That bound their young hearts 
With the ties from above. 

'Twas only a tear. 
But it falls every day, 

From some broken heart 
That bleeds all the way. 



The Bright Side of Living 53 

AT VIRGIL'S TOMB 

I came one day to a poet's grave, 

Who lived long, long ago 
In that beautiful land of Italy, 

But now he sleeps on Posillipo. 

Onward I was rushing in my glee. 
Never stopping in one place to stay, 

Until I came to Virgil's tomb 

And read the epitaph where he lay. 

I paused as though a living poet 

Spoke to me his last request, 
*'Siste viator pauce legito 

Hie Virgilius tumulus est." 

For though he had slept for ages past 
And his voice had long been still. 

It seemed to me that he spoke that day 
As I lingered on that Neopolitan hill. 

Stop ! Traveler, read ! And how these words 
Aroused my soul to tarry at his grave, 

And meditate upon that mortal dust 
Of Virgil who was both wise and brave. 

The busy throngs have been passing by 
And two thousand years have sped away. 

Yet many have missed the poet's song 
While Virgil here in this casket lay. 

Poetry, story and love's sweet song 

Are the charming lessons from Virgil's pen, 

But 0, how many in the rush of life 
Neglect the stories of such good men. 



54 The Bright Side of Living 

''Stop! Traveler, and wait awhile," I read, 
''This is the tomb of Virgil", it said 

Carved were these letters on the stone 
Of this Roman poet who so long is dead. 



THE ARAB BEDOUINS 

I crossed the sandy desert 

Through Arabia's dusty plain, 

And saw the dark-skinned Bedouins 
As they tramped the barren main. 

They wore no hats, no shoes, 
No smiles shown on their face, 

But scanty dressed and woe-begone 
They still survive — a sad, sad race. 

They seem like travelers come from far, 
No settled homes have they to keep. 

But when the mist of night descends 
They pitch their tents and sleep. 

The race holds mysteries all would know, 
Hemmed in by the fates of the past; 

Still these dark-skinned Bedouins live. 
And shall live while time shall last. 



Weak, superstitious and ignorant, too, 

They tramp the boundless dusty plain. 
This poor benighted race of ancient men, 
Thirst and famine have the thousands slain. 



The Bright Side of Living 55 



I saw them in that wasted land 

Where the pagan's bond doth bind, 

I read their woes in each sad face 
But I failed life's joys to find. 



MY NEIGHBOR 

A priest and a Levite once passed by 
And left a wounded man to die — 
Was that priest or Levite you or I? 

It was on the highway to Jericho 
This man for business had to go, 
But robbers by the way laid low; 

They struck him with a pointed spear 
And took from him all that was dear: 
In scorn they gave him one last jeer. 

A good Samaritan came down that way 
And saw the suffering Jew as he lay 
Almost dead, we can most truly say. 

The Samaritan served him in his need. 
Carried him away on his own black steed, 
Paid an innkeeper for his room and feed. 

''When I return I'll pay thee more 

Until this suffering man is o'er 

The wounds that he from robbers bore." 

Beautiful lesson from that passerby 
Who found that Jew almost to die. 
Was that Samaritan you or I? 



56 The Bright Side of Living 

FAITHFUL MOHAMMEDAN 

Five times one day 

I saw him stop and pray; 

'Twas Mohammed's priest 
Par in the land of the east. 

In the ancient queer old Cairo 
The Moslem priests are on the go. 

True to all their binding creed 
It has long been well agreed, 

The sheik is more prompt to pray 
Than Christians are some vows to pay. 

True to the letter of his Koran law 
He bows and bends, but finds no flaw ; 

His very soul would be lost indeed 
If he should fail his prayers to read; 

Or if he'd fail to hear prayer's call 
Under the law he'd have to gall. 

I saw him in yon busy street. 
With him on barren plains did meet. 

So the Christian man can little say 
Against the Moslem's faithful way 

Of keeping true to the Koran's letter 
And trying each day to worship better. 

We fuss and rail against his creed 

And make the Moslem's poor heart bleed. 



The Bright Side of Living 57 

I wonder if the day won't come 
When Christian — Moslem will be one, 

And bow at the altar side by side, 
Then find that both in God abide. 



MY FRIEND 

I love my friend 

And I'll tell you why — 

I love this man you see, 

Not for his wealth or power; 

Not for his help to me: 

But I love him first, 

This friend of mine 

For a tender heart hath he. 

I love him for he is as true 

And faithful to that tie 

As are the laws of nature 

That come from God on high. 

He is my friend of years ago, 

This man that here you see, 

A binding tie of faith and love 

Binds this good man to me. 

The mention of his name brings joy 

And then to see his face. 

Clasping his warm strong hand 

Fills all my soul with grace. 

So when I count my treasures 

And in heaven I lay my store. 

Among the things I'll prize most dear 

And count them cheaply won, 

Is the cherished thought of him 

And the good to me he's done. 



68 The Bright Side of Living 

THE NORTH WIND 

I hear the howl of the wind 
From the north land far away 

And it makes me shiver and shake, 
For I have no place to stay. 

I feel its slimjT- biting tongue 
And its blasting fangs sting me, 

But still I must tramp onward 
For nobody ever cares for me. 

'Tis such a misery to be poor 
When the north wind sweeps along 

For it even chills my soul 

With its cold and mournf al song. 

It howls and then it whistles 
And rocks the earth in its tread, 

Then drives the poor man on 
Till he wishes that he were dead. 

But I can bear the north wind 

Better than a saloon man's grudge 

For it bites my body and soul 
Until I dare not budge. 

Howl and bite, thou winter wind! 

You are no worse to me 
Than he who gave me drink for gold 

And a drunkard made me be. 



The Bright Side of Living 59 

THE BROKEN HEART 

All broken and sad 

Bleeds my heart today, 
For they've taken my sweetheart; 

They have taken her far avray. 

And I've no desire to linger 

In this villa by the sea, 
Unless they bring back my sweetheart 

'Twill be the death of me. 

All alone I weep for my dearie 

And nobody can comfort me, 
For my heart is sad and broken 

"While I suffer by the sea. 

I am so crushed by sorrow 

And my heart bleeds every day, 

For I'm looking for my sweetheart 
Or I want to go away. 



JOHN LUSCHEN 

John Luschen is a mighty man, 
His soul is so big and free, 

He always fights for God and right 
And will not from duty flee. 

He has a heart that is so big 

So all his friends do say, 
John Luschen put a string on it 

So he would not give it away. 

In daily life he is a power, 
As all his friends do feel, 

He stands a high man in the church 
And his soul is full of zeal. 



60 The Bright Side of Living 

BUYING A GUN 

I want ter buy me a gun, 
The biggest what you got, 
That'll shoot cannon balls 
And all that kind of shot. 

Yes, I mean one for a nickel 
That'll kill most anything. 

For I'm going to hunt bears 
And wild turkeys on the wing. 

I must have some bullets too, 
The kind what's made of paper 

So when I snap the trigger down, 
Them little boys will scaper. 

No not like that, nor that, 
But one what's got a string. 

Just fastened to the bullet 
So when it hits, it'll sting. 

You've got it right for sure, 
A popgun is just what I mean 

And here 's the nickel what I had 
For I've kept it in my jean. 

Off went that boy so happy 
And as proud as an earthly king, 

For he had bought a gun himself 
And one that was sure to sting. 



The Bright Side of Living 61 

HIDE AWAY 

The earth is full of sorrow 

And it follows us every day, 
But always keep up cheerful 

Or hide away, hide away. 

Troubles — you'll all have them 

Wherever you work or play, 
But do not get discouraged 

Just hide away, hide away. 

When you're so tired and weary 

And don't know what to say, 
Lock up your store or office 

And hide away, hide away. 
When sick and sad and troubled 

And short of both work and pay, 
Thinking that life is not worth while 

You'd better hide away, hide away. 
If many days are dark and dreary 

While you try life's game to play, 
Don't run away from your duty 

But quietly hide away, hide away. 
You will gain much new vigor 

For the battles on your way, 
If you do not fuss and fume 

But just hide away, hide away. 



BELLA SIGNORINA 

bella Signorina Italiana 
lo me ne andro lontano 
Datemi per favore la vostra parola 
Edio fabrichero una capanna 
E voi verrete con me. 



62 The Bright Side of Living 

HAPPY LIVES 

Deeds of smiles and sunshine 
Mingled with the tears, 

Drive away man's troubles 
And sweeten all his years. 

Bright and happy faces 
Give new life each day, 

Sifting out the sorrows 
And bringing joys to stay. 

Tender words of kindness 
Make the cold heart warm, 

Every one may speak them 
With a gentle pleasing charm. 

Rich and poor alike today 
Can fill this world with love, 

And make that lowly hovel 
Like the mansions up above. 



VENICE THE BEAUTIFUL 

Charmed by its silent romance 

With watered streets of blue, 
I landed once in Venice 

When the Campanille was new; 
Fantastic, quaint and weird 

Was the thrill to me that day, 
While rowing with a gondolier 

To the Belle Vue for a stay. 



The Bright Side of Living 68 

The streets all were noiseless 
For gondolas skim the way, 
As hacks and busses all are boats 

And on watery streets they play. 
Delights to me were priceless 

In fair Venice on the sea, 
As I learned its ancient history 
What its glories used to be; 
For silent marble tongues proclaim 

The glories of its living fame, 
As from the time-honored Rialto 

Immortalized by Shakespeare's name; 
From Saint Mark's sublime cathedral 

And that Doges palace grand. 
And the mounted four bronze horses 

Napoleon brought from Turkey's land. 
Thus into Saint Mark's square I went 

Where Venice glows in luster bright, 
There pigeons come to feed and play 

And Venetian singers charm the night ; 
Then on the grand canal they stay 

And swell the air with sweetest tune. 
Cheering the hearts of weary men 

While overhead peeps out the moon. 
Venice is a city of man-made charms 

As it grows up out of the sea, 
And those clever Venetian merchants 
They would make a prince of thee; 
So when you travel o'er land and sea 

And men of many races you meet, 
You'll find none at all more genteel 
Than those in Venice that do you greet. 



64 The Bright Side of Living 

BACK TO ITALY 

Beyond the wide deep ocean, 
I want my home to be 

And my heart has been a yearnin' 
To go back to Italy. 

I miss those charming people 
That I met beyond the sea 

And now I am just waitin' 
To' go back to Italy. 

The mountains and the sunshine, 
And the smiling folks you see 

Just keep the heart a beatin' 
To go back to Italy. 

I hope the time is coming 

But I don't want days to flee, 

Still all the time I'm plannin' 
To' go back to Italy. 

Sailing back on the ^^Mendoza," 
such fun as that will be 

"When launched upon the ocean 
To go back to Italy. 

Write at once, ye Temple tourists 
And send on your names to me 

Then we'll book you for our party 
To go back to Italy. 

Count the jolly days that's coming 
On our ship crossin' the sea 

When the Temple tourists gather 
To go back to Italy. 



The Bright Side of Living 65 

CALL OF THE SEA 

I am enticed by the call lof the sea 
As the waves leap up to the shore, 

And I long to board a gallant ship 
And sail abroad once more. 

I love the deep blue ocean 

And the billov/s under the sky, 
But once in a storm on the waters 

Is enough when the waves are high. 

Of all the beauties in the world 

On the land or the sailor's sea. 
None are so grand and beautiful 

As the boundless ocean to me. 

Roll on thou swelling ocean tide. 

Carry safely my ship and me 
For I know thy tide is changing 

As far as man's eye can see. 

Dancing and skipping and singing. 

Like young girls out at play 
Thy waves keep up a romance 

And are courting from day to day. 

Freely you bound in a moving tide 

And laugh as you roll away, 
And sing to the sailor on the deck, 

And keep his heart in a fray. 

Beautiful charming ocean waves. 

Sing to man's heart each day. 
And you will drive all troubles out, 

And make his heart more gay. 



66 The Bright Side of Living 

COUNT YOURSELF RICH 

Count yourself rich immensely 
In treasures beyond compare, 

If you have health and vigor 
And do all your trials bear. 

Life is worth the best we get 
Of the things that are most dear, 

If you would travel the happy road 
You'll find it begins right here. 

Sing and laugh and you will have 
A host of most loyal friends, 

Who will always welcome you 
For some joy on you depends. 

County yourself a king in the world 
While you daily work at your task, 

And never give up and say, "I can't." 
But work on vour best to the last. 



MAN IS OFTEN BLIND 

So fast man hastens on his way 
Trying to find the happiest day 
He often goes so far astray. 

For short is pleasure's sweet refrain 
And afterwards is long, long pain 
For what is lost we ne'er regain. 

Misfortune oft is coming near 

But her footsteps does man seldom hear 

Until he is caused to weep and fear. 



The Bright Side of Living 67 

But why should man be deaf and blind 
Regretting to leave his w^ealth behind 
When in heaven he'll better riches find? 

For what escapes four misty eyes 
Blinded by the dust of a worldly prize 
May be the purest gold of Paradise. 

So hasten away and quick devise 
In some way to ascend the skies 
And captivate the richest prize. 

So never think that looking wise 
"Will open the gates of yon Paradise 
For dust may blind your sleepy eyes. 



LOCH-LOMOND 

I once sailed o'er Loch-Lomond 
On a bright and pleasant day 

In the bonnie land of Scotland 
Where I whiled some days away. 

take me back to Scotland 
Down on the bonnie brae 

And let me see the lassies 
In their happy daily pla5\ 

But I am far from Scotland 
Far from the bonnie brae 

But I hope again to see it 
Still my heart is saying nae. 

Let's sail the deep blue ocean 
To the bonnie land o' brae 

And visit with the lassies 

And watch them in their play. 



68 The Bright Side of Living 

O bonnie land of Scotland 
My feet are turned away 

wad some sailor tell me 
To Loch-Lomond I may gae. 



THE HONEST LADDIE 

My wee bonnie lassie 

Where will ye gae today, 
To the braes of the lowland 

Or in the highland stray? 

You can see I'm just a sailor 
Come from the watery way, 

But if you'll accept my company 
We will saunter by the brae. 

I hae nae fame nae fortune 
And I hae nae worry and care, 

But I'll be a winsome fellow 
And will not my shillings spare. 

Come wi' me ye bonnie laddie 
And we'll gae down by the brae 

We'll cross o'er Loch-Lomond 
And pick some flowers o' May. 

So wi' tha' bonnie lassie 
He spent mony a happy day 

Rambling o'er the highlands 
And down in the lowland brae. 

Nae fame nae fortune had th' laddie 
But an honest heart had he 

And he won the heart o ' th ' lassie 
Down on the banks o' th' Dee. 



The Bright Side of Living 69 

THE UNNOTICED 

Up in the mountain 

Blooms a little rose, 
Sweeter than a house plant 

In its high repose. 

Up in the human heart 

Grows a purpose strong, 
Fighting for the right 

Against the deadly wrong. 

Up in the busy crowds 

Plod many weary men, 
With torn bleeding hearts 

They go and sin again. 

Up in the foul dark attic 

Some children starve each day. 
For cruel vice and sin 

Have taken their bread away. 

But up in the realms of God 

In those mansions far above, 
Rich and poor go hand in hand 

Housed in that richest love. 

Up in the souls of men 

Our God would there abide, 
Lifting all human nature 

To be a heavenly pride. 



70 The Bright Side of Living 

THOSE TROUBLES 

My neighbors all keep say in' 
How hard the times will be 

Then fuss about the price of corn 
And would most discourage me ; 

They say the war is comin' on 
And the bank stock goin' down 

That taxes will be goin' up 
Then hard times in our town. 

"Well I duno if they are right 

Or if I am in the wrong, 
But just the same I smile away 

And sing a cheerful song. 

My note is due 1 I know it is 

And I that note will pay 
If I but have one meal to eat 

And that be straw and hay. 

Some say winter's coming soon 
Then coal we'll have to buy, 

But I just keep a smilin' on 
And do hope I may not die. 

Jones he sed terbaker's up 
And eggs and taters have fell 

Hogs and chickens too are low 
And his wife she hain't so well. 

what troubles some folks see 

And how they kick and growl so grim 

You would suppose that God was dead 
And this world was in a svdm. 



The Bright Side of Living 71 

Then all the same I don't give up 

But keep smilin' all the day 
For troubles are what we make them 

To keep or send them away. 

Happy? "Well I guess I am, Sir, 
As happy as a poor man need be 

For I have a place to eat and sleep 
And I trust the morrow to see. 

There hain't no use of fussin' 

When things don't come our way 

But work the harder, dig and save 
And smile your best each day. 



HOW THE SOUL LIVES 

Think a kind thought my soul 
Then you will have joy today, 
And shall drive from your soul 
All the evil thoughts away. 

Pray a prayer for thy neighbors 
That they may prosper each day, 

And joy and blesings w^ill come 
As you travel the toilsome way. 

Sing a song of redemption 

'Twill cheer the saddest of men, 

For the beauty and glory of living 
Is to him who a servant has been. 

Serve and you will be happy 

And brighten the souls that you meet, 
Lifting the sorrows and the burdens 

Your life will be fully complete. 



72 The Bright Side of Living 

FUNNY WORLD 

This is a funny world for sure 
And how some folks will dig, 

They'll starve and skimp along 
And ride in a rickety gig; 

They'll talk about the neighbors 
And whine about the crops, 

Some always fuss and grumble 
As they eat their mutton chops. 

It's a world of trouble too 
And nose around and gossip, 

And try to find some evil tale 
From which to gain some profit. 

Some people will save and keep 
And hide their pennies away, 

They never find any comfort 
For they slave most every day. 

They daily keep a thinkin' 
That they may starve to death, 

And sio they keep a workin' 

While they hardly draw their breath. 



They find no pleasure in the w^orld 
For that might cost some money, 

And thus they always rob themselves 
For they miss the choicest honey. 



The Bright Side of Living 73 

KING PHARAOH 

All saddled and all bridled 

And so gallant rode he, 
Out from the homeland 

Toward the Red sea; 

He was a proud despot 

And they were his slaves, 
Out rode the mighty Pharaoh 

With his fighting braves. 

Swiftly moved the royal host 

Against that Jewish band, 
And soon they saw the Hebrews 

Wait long upon the sand. 

Frightened were the untrained Jews 

As on the shore they wait, 
Then looked each other in the face 

And read their own sad fate. 

But kingly Moses with the rod 

The sea, he soon divided 
Then quickly marched those Jews across 

For their fears had all subsided. 

But all saddled and bridled 

And so gallant rode he, 
Out went the mighty Pharaoh 

Far into the Eed sea. 

On moved his mighty host 

Not one remained behind. 
Out into the deep Red sea 

The fighting braves went blind. 



74 The Bright Side of Living 

The ocean waves swept all away 
Not one returned to tell, 

How that mighty host went down 
Or in what graves they dwell. 

All saddled and all bridled 
But rideth forth not he, 

For Pharaoh and his mighty host 
Sleep in the grave of the sea. 



THE POOR DOG 

I heard a poor dog howling 

As though his heart would break, 

And I guess he had his troubles 
For he kept us both awake. 

Both dogs and men have troubles 
That oft come thick and fast. 

But the man who keeps his troubles 
Makes them much longer last. 

And the troubles that doggies have 
Are just as hard and true, 

As are those little troubles 
That bother both me and you. 

Man's troubles seem such giants 
And they spring up in a night, 

That it keeps him always busy 
Trjdng to drive them out of sight. 

I should be truly delighted 
As through this dark world I go, 

If I could lift all the troubles 
Of both the men and doggies too. 



The Bright Side of Living 75 

DREARY OLD AGE 

Gone from my heart are those days 
When I was young and strong and gay, 

Gone are those friends I used to know, 
Gone like flowers that bloom in May. 

Once I had a home and loved ones 
And was happy as happy could be, 

Now I'm alone in this dreary world 
And nobody ever cares to see me. 

But day after day I am waiting 

As I older and weaker do grow, 
For I, like the leaves of the forest, 

Will fall to the cold earth below. 

Yes, gone are those happy friends 
That once my soul did gayly thrill, 

But long since were mustered out 
And now sleep down over the hill. 



WINTER HAS COME 

The leaves fall from the trees 
And the flowers droop and die^ 

The robins to the southland go 

And the north wind heaves a sigh. 

Silently skips the biting frost 
O'er the flowers in the dell. 

And laughs in its merry glee 

For summer has said, *' Farewell." 



76 The Bright Side of Living 

We feel the bite of its icy tongue 
As it nips the school boy's nose, 

For it has driven the summer avray 
And no one can tell where it goes. 

That summer is gone we all lament 
And sigh as the winter we greet, 

But this is part of God's wise plan 
To make man's life complete. 

So do not weep when summer is gone 
Nor despise the winter snow. 

For God has made the universe 
Far better than man does know. 

Winter and spring, summer and fall, 
God has planned them each and all, 

Making the grass and flowers to grow 
And causing the leaves to fall. 

He sends the frost that bites the bud 
And that stings your fingers too. 

He brings the winter from the north, 
Still He loves and cares for you. 



KEINE BROT 

Ich habe keine brot 

Fur diesen kalten tag, 
Wo kan ich das finden 

Ich kan nimmer sag. 

Ich vill durch dem strassen 

Sehr schnell da gehen, 
Aber wenn ich brot nicht finden 

Zu meine heimat vill ich gekommen. 



The Bright Side of Living 77 

MEINE HEIMAT 

Ich vill zu meine heimat gehen 

Auch finden ich ihn so kalt, 
Ihii ist meine allein heimat 

Und das ist alles das ich gehabt. 

Meine ist eine kleine heimat 

Und ich habe keine ander, 
Aber ich meine heimat liebe 

Ihn ist jemals wunderbar. 

Einmal vill ich nicht zu kommen 

Zu meine heimat nimmermehr, 
Dann vill ich mein Gott besuchen 

Und ich vill hinauf gehen dar. 



MY COTTAGE 
Down in the valley 

Beside a little stream, 
There is my cottage 

And light in it doth gleam; 
There dwells my sweetheart 

Like a little queen, 
Down in the valley 

By that little stream. 



THE BEGGAR BOY 

I am so tired and hungry, Sir, 
And I have no place to go, 

For I am just a beggar boy 
A trampin' in the snow. 



78 The Bright Side of Living 

When I go beggin' at the door 
The rich folks frown and say, 

**We are going out to dinner 
And have no bread today." 

But on I keep a trampin' 

Through the cold and bitin' snow, 

And wonder if the people think 
That I've no place to go. 

Yes, I'm just a beggar boy, 

Tired, hungry and foot-sore too, 

Trampin', trampin' all day long 
But I find no work to do. 

For when I do ask for labor 
The people just scowl and say, 

''We do not hire any beggars 
So just tramp on away." 

Father and mother both are dead 
But they too were so poor. 

That all my life I've been beggin' 
And a goin' from door to door. 

''Come in," did you say, "for supper 
And sleep tonight in a bed." 

That sounds like a dream to me 
The poor tired beggar said. 

But after the meal was ended 

The beggar stirred not from the chair, 

But a sweet smile covered his face 
As he slept all free from his care. 



The Bright Side of Living 79 

WRITING VERSES 

I'll dip my pen into the ink 
Then squint my eyes and blink, 
And after while try to think. 

If I could jot one poem down 
That would arouse my native town 
I'd count it worth a silver crown. 

But writin' poetry seems a joke 
When you're hungry and also broke 
But still I'll try another stroke. 

Writin' verses seems just play 
Still it's harder 'n pitchin' hay, 
Rhymes don't always come your way. 

Stoppin' here to start once more 
I'll have your patience to implore, 
So I'll give up and call it o'er. 



MERCY SHOW 

No advice have I to give 
Rather do I strive to live 

Better than I've done before, 
But I've missed it o'er and o'er; 

Mercy now I freely show. 
Once no mercy did I know, 

But this lesson have I learned 
Sinners not the saints are spurned. 

Long it took me this to learn 
That mercy will itself return. 



80 The Bright Side of Living 

We scorn and kick the man that's down 
And on his reformation frown, 

We do him harm — and stab his soul 
Rather than help him to the goal. 

Now I will hasten to mercy show 
For I myself have been sio low. 

My mind and heart in mercy glow 
And I will always mercy show. 



I LOVE HIM 



Deep in my soul I love Him, 
I fondly would ever be true 

Christ, my dear loving Savior, 
I fully surrender to you. 

In life so often I'm tempted 
And often I fall by the way 
But I long to love Jesus forever 
And walk in His paths every day. 

His love has a power that changes 
The vilest of sinners to be 

Like the angels that live in heaven 
And He loves poor sinners like me. 

So I '11 leave my faults and follies 
And break from the pleasures of sin 

For I know that the Spirit of Jesus 
Will enrich my poor soul within. 



The Bright Side of Living 81 

GETTING A WELCOME 

We will always get a welcome 

As Ave walk beside the stream, 
We'll get it from the flowers 

When we walk upon the green. 

In the eool and shady forest 

Where squirrels and birds are seen, 

There we'll always get a welcome 
When we walk upon the green. 

So in every path of living 

Where the tracks of men are seen, 

Some will always get a welcome 
When they walk upon the green. 

Every man who does his duty 

And to the right doth ever lean, 
Will always get a welcome 

When he walks upon the green. 

So if we would teach a lesson 

Let us love and not be mean. 
Then we'll always get a welcome 

When we walk upon the green. 



SLEEP 



The angels pin the eyelids down 
And rock man's soul in sleep. 

They stay near by the bedside 
And a vigil watch they keep. 



82 The Bright Side of Living 

I think there must be angels 
That travel with us in the day, 

While others come at the sunset 
And all thro' the night they stay. 

So v^hen your eyes begin to blink 
Just know it's the angels' kiss, 

For swift from the dome of heaven 
They bring you some of its bliss. 

Then in the angels' arms you rest 
And pass to that dreamless land, 
While 'er thy soul they keep a watch 
Sweet spirits of that guardian band 



THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

It's the night before Christmas 
And the snow's on the ground, 

While the children are waiting 
For Saint Nick to colne round. 

The little lads and lassies 

For this day have waited long. 

And the Christmas program's over 
But not the Christmas song. 

Seems everybody's smiling 

The lean and fat — tall and thin, 

And all the lads and lassies 
Are wearing a monster grin; 

For they're looking for tomorrow 
And that's the Christ's birthday. 

But little folks remember it 
As a day to romp and play. 



The Bright Side of Living 83 

Eing out ye bells of Christmas 
And scatter gladness everywhere, 

¥\0T so happy are the boys and girls 
They can hardly say their prayer. 

But it's time to hurry off to bed 
After the prayers have all been said, 

Hang up the stockings in the corner 
For this long night will soon be sped. 



TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS 

I am looking for Old Santa Claus 

To come to me tonight, 
And I have long been wondering 

If he won 't bring a kite ; 
Or perhaps a little drum. 
But it'll please me just as well 

If he would bring a gun. 

But Santa is a good old man 

I've heard my mama say, 
And so I'll hang my stocking up 

But keep on at my play, 
And when it's time to go to bed 

I'll just jump in and say, 

*' Please, Santa, tomorrow is Christmas 
Day." ' 



NATURE'S TEMPLE 

Come walk with me in the woodland 
Where the song bird sings so sweet, 

Let us walk and talk together 
And there God's whispers greet; 



84 The Bright Side of Living 

The beauty lof all the earth is here 

And the oak trees are great and high, 

Under my feet the green growing grass 
Is dotted with those flowers that die. 

Come sit with me in this shady dell 
By the roadside just over the hill, 

For nature has built her temple here 
And the worship is solemn and still. 



ACROSTIC 



Ramble over the wide, wide world, 

Over the ocean and land and sea; 

May all your travels 

And voyages prove 

Not one a loss to thee ; 

Covet the path the good have trod. 

Enough when you make way to God. 



THE POET'S THEOLOGY 

Here this call 
In trouble all 
Soon shall fall; 

For evil deeds 
Like tares and weeds 

Grow thick and fast 
But longer last. 

With neighbors bad 
The hearts are sad, 

But jolly friends 
On love depends. 



The Bright Side of Living 85 

Many pi^ofess 
But live less; 

For Scriptures say 
All should pray. 

Wlien hopes die 
Some souls will sigh. 

If God you see 
Love must be 
Strong in thee. 



THE BROKEN PANSY 

I plucked a svreet pansy 
One bright summer day, 

But soon it had w^ilted 
And v^ithered av^ay. 

Broken and severed 

The flovrer will die, 
So will the little bird 

And so will you and I. 

Guard thy fleeting moments 
And check the angry spell, 

Then tomorrow you shall know 
That you acted mighty well. 

Yes, broken w^as the pansy 
And so is the wasted day, 

But the idle word not spoken 
Is the best that you can say. 



86 The Bright Side of Living 

FLEETING LIFE 

Time, tide and flood sweep on, 
Days and nights too soon are gone; 

The boy and man are nearly one. 
Pain and pleasure is life's sum. 

Fleet, fly, thou fiery sun, 
Faster and faster the races run; 

Birth, baptism, marriage and death. 
It's hardly time to draw thy breath. 

Change, decay and resurrection be 
The messengers that do wait for thee. 



EASTER 

The blast of the winter snow 

Has been chased away by the spring, 

And into the throb of life we come 
With the joys that Easter bring. 

The whole world teems with life 
And the birds more sweetly sing. 

For man once more has a new life 

And it comes with the Easter spring. 

This is the high tide of all the year. 
Even the earth bursts open with life, 

And a new spirit burns in the sioul 
As Easter drives out all the strife. 

The Easter day is heaven's time 
To herald the resurrection morn. 

And proclaim in all the world around, 
That Christ anew from the tomb is bom. 



The Bright Side of Living 87 

Come one and ^11 this Easter day, 
Let's turn our hearts from sorrow, 

And let Christ the King of Easter day- 
Fit us all for the labor of tomorrow. 



THE RED BIRD 

I am oome from the fragrant fields, 
Where the daisies bloom in the dell, 

My heart is aglow with sweetest peace 
For peace among the flowers dwell. 

I live in a swinging little palace 
In an oak tree great and high, 

And the boys and girls call me 
The red bird of the sky. 



YOU'RE OUT 

'' Striker three and you are out," 
The umpire called from the base, 

The batter left the diamond 
And another took his place. 

Soon the game is ended 

And the players will be gone. 

To rest and practice later 
Till another game is on. 

But life itself is one long game. 

The batters you and I, 
But what shall be the umpire's call 

When the time shall come to die? 



88 The Bright Side of Living 

Striker one and striker two 
And every hit will count, 

But striker three and you are lost 
If the umpire cries, ''You're out.' 

Play hard and fast my friend, 
Make every strike your best, 

For soon you'll leave the diamiond 
And there'll be no other test. 

Striker one, and striker two, 
So swiftly goes life's game, 

But all can make the home run 
And win both life and fame. 



WORK 



Work and the world works with you, 
Shirk and thy time is lost, 

For all neglected duties 

Tou will pay tremendous cost. 

Work with a zeal and fervor 
And you'll have a smiling face. 

For the man who is in earnest 
Will always find a place. 

Work and your friends will miss you 
When you shuffle off from time. 

Work and the earth will praise you 
And your life will be sublime. 



The Bright Side of Living 89 

MAN'S FATE 

The flight of the bird 
And the hot spoken word 

Are records iof the past, 
They cannot be recalled 

Nor can they be recast. 

So man makes his fate to be 
Like a binding band of steel, 
Fills memory with the things 
"Which bring him woe or weal ; 

He climbs the winding stair 

Through the duties of each day, 
Sometimes he drinks of sorrow 

And at other times he's gay. 

Man has fixed limitations, 

Some boundaries he cannot pass. 

But he works, dreams and fancies. 
And at times can wealth amass. 

Man is a shirker or a worker. 

He destroys and he builds, 
He fells the mighty forest 

And the rolling field he tills; 

He scales the height of wisdom 

And he sails the widest sea, 
Ecads the thoughts of God afar 

And he strives like God to be. 

Yesterday he lived in wealth 

But today he bends so low. 
And like the frosted lily wilts 

Then from the world he'll go. 



90 The Bright Side of Living 

THE GOOD MAN DIES 

When the good man dies 
The earth at once replies, 
I've lost a goodly prize 
But heaven v^ill be more w^ise. 

But when a bad man dies, 
I w^onder v^ho then replies, 
For his spirit goes to the skies 
Just as if a good man dies. 

I v^onder who is most wise 
"When the good or the bad man dies, 
To be good who hardest tries. 
Which one the longest strives? 

The good man surely dies 
When he his God denies. 
And never longer tries 
To gain a home in the skies. 

And the bad man always dies 
When he the sin and self denies. 
And daily yearns and ever strives 
To gain a home up in the skies. 



THE WINDOW OF THE SOUL 
Many are weeping and sighing 

As through life's valley they go, 
Fretting and wasting life's joys 

As they harbor all life's woe. 

But lift up thy soul sad man 

And the world's glad blessings know, 

You need not pine thy years away 
Nor fixed in sorrow should you grow. 



The Bright Side of Living 91 

Break the narrow view of seeing 

Just the dark and gloomy day, 
You were born to know the planets 

And make God's thoughts thy play. 

Shake off thy wandering fears of doubt 
And make thyself a god in sacred power, 

So let thy steps be measured might 
And all thy deeds as a fragrant flower. 

Let no bounds make three a narrow man 
But penetrate until you touch yon 

Scenes of uncorrupted and eternal thought 
And make thyself an immortal son. 



WHEN ALL OUR SHIPS COME IN 

You have often heard folks say 
When in trouble they have been, 

We're looking for a better day 
When all our ships come in. 

When all our ships come in 

From over the dreamy sea, 
For we believe they'll bring 

The fortune we long to see. 

It seems there is a speck 

In all folks just the same, 
They are looking for the coming 

Of a ship with wealth and fame. 

Vain hope that many have in life 

When loss and trouble corner them in. 

They try to put off the settlement 
Till their hoped-for ships come in. 



92 The Bright Side of Living 

And so they look and wait and hope 
That they may some day truly win, 

"When they ought to work the harder 
Till their ships do all come in. 

When all our ships come in 
From over the boundless sea 

We'll live in peace and comfort 
And a jolly time 'twill be. 

But those ships with treasures rare 
May be far from the port tonight, 

And may have a stormy voyage yet 
Before you view their sight. 

Remember this looked-for time 
When all our ships come in, 

Never comes to the most of folks 
For theil* ships do not come in. 

Then I will work and hope and pray 
And try my daily way to win, 

For then I shall be doubly blessed 
If all my ships come in. 



WAITIN' FOR FAME 

I am waitin' just a waitin' 

For fame to come along 
And crown my idle moments 

And make me rich and strong; 
But so long I've been a waitin' 

For fame to come my way 
That now I am a thinkin' 

He's surely missed a daj^ • 



The Bright Side of Living 93 

Waitiii', yes I'tn waitin' 

For a title to my name 
That cost no wiork or study 

But just pinned on by fame ; 
Gold and honor for my waitin'? 

'Tis all the same to me, 
But what delays his comin' 

When his visit will be free? 

But I mean to keep a waitin' 

While others work all day 
For if he finds them workin' 

He will not stop to say, 
*' Can't you cease your labor 

When but once I pass this way?" 
But he'll always find me waitin' 

For I'm waitin every day. 

Still I'm here a waitin' 

Even if fame is late 
And I'm sure to be a waitin' 

When he passes by my gate ; 
I wonder how my name will look 

Carved out in bronze and stone; 
how my friends will envy me 

When I walk with fame alone. 

Waitin', still I'm waitin' 

And my hair is long and gray, 
But surely I'll not die 

Till fame comes by this way; 
What he'll give me for my waitin' 

Will be very hard to say, 
But fame will soon be comin' 

For I've waited life away. 



94 The Bright Side op Living 

THE HALTED TRAVELER 

'Twas on the way with the cross that day 
As the mob with hate and anger cried, 

That Jesus fell under the weight of the cross 
And the centurion lashed His bleeding side. 

Then a passing traveler was halted on his way 
And told to follow his new found guide, 

But Simon begged that he might be excused; 

The captain answered, ''Walk by the prisoner's 
side." 

On with the mob the Cyrenian slowly tramped, 
Gazing upon the blood-stained face of Him 

For whom he bore that heavy cruel cross. 

At last to see the soldiers nail Him with a grin. 

Perhaps that halted Cyrenian never knew that 
Power and love flowed mingled with the pain, 

Of the Christ who tramped in silence all the way 
To reach Calvary where loss was greatest gain. 

Then came the end so mystic, solemn and so sad 
That Simon the Cyrenian bowed to God and said, 

''It gives me joy that I was halted on the way 
And bore the cross for Him who now is dead.'' 

In life you shall all have some sudden call 

And a halted traveler you and I may some day be, 

Finding that into service we too had drafted been 
And a neighbor's need had been the one decree. 

Swiftly along life's thorny path men do go, 

But are halted and hindered like Simon on his way 

Thinking that they've sad days to look upon. 

But Simon the Cyrenian ne'er saw a better day. 



The Bright Side of Living 95 

You were one time halted on your pilgrim way 
But keep on climbing up Mount Zion and see 

That from its summit you shall view at last 
The glories of that Calvary were all for thee. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

He rose like a giant strong 

This man so brave and true, 
He always did the right, 

Or as near it as he knew. 

Humble retired and meek was he 
As he worked at every task, 

Was never known to break his word 
But he kept it to the last. 

He stood a kingly man of men, 

Free from folly, malice and pride, 

Was a giant for all men's rights 

And his fairness shall forever abide. 

This name of Lincoln ne'er forget 
As the centuries shall roll away, 

For he stood a man of God we think 
And he lived it every passing day. 

From the common ranks of men came he. 
Schooled in adversity and poverty too. 

Sad and lonely was most of his life. 
But daily like God he steadily grew. 

"Honest Abe" he was often called 
By friend and foe the same, 

But few in all the world have had 
This title to their name. 



96 The Bright Side of Living 

In the hearts of men he'll always live 
While the years shall come and go, 

But the gtood he's done for all mankind 
There's none but God does knov^. 

He fell a victim to murderous hate 
And sank in a martyr 's grave ; 

He died as he had always lived 
But he freed the white man's slave. 

He sleeps in a Springfield cemetery. 

Our Lincoln so noble and true, 
But he set a standard for right living 

That daily challenges me and you. 



SONNET OF GLADNESS 

We love our God and praise Him too 
For sparing us to meet with you; 
For sending sunshine with the shower 
And lending us the fragrant flower. 

We bless His name this happy day 
And on His altar here we lay, 
The broken heartstrings of our soul 
And pray that we may reach yon goal, 

Where tired feet no longer tread 
But crowns bedeck the weary head; 
And battling trusting souls of men 
Lay down the cross and peace attain. 

Come then and let us praise His name 
And love Him for His holy fame; 
Then all lOur earthly praises bring 
And laud and crown Him as our King. 



The Bright Side of Living 97 

THE DYING SOLDIER 

He is dying, slowly dying 

In a hut down by yon mill, 
His face is pale and wan 

And he's growing cold and still, 

The soldier boy — brave and true, 
Who answered his country's call, 

He fought like a valiant Caesar 
And he was noble, gay and tall. 

Day after day he had tried to go 
And answered again the bugle call, 

But frail and -weak he daily grew 
As he was slipping beyond recall. 

In a lonely hut he was dying. 

There was none to bathe his brow. 

As his soul leaped out of his body 
And has gone to that eternal now. 

No grave was dug for his body 

And marker there was none to say — 

So no one can find his resting place 
Or tell where that brave boy lay. 

Quietly he slipped away from earth 
On the sands of yon southern plain, 

But for the grave of this nameless hero 
Many have long searched in vain. 

But he was mot alone when he left — 
For heaven's angel band came down 

And watched him through the night, 
Then crowned him with a golden crown. 



98 The Bright Side of Living 

And they bore him away in triumph 
To that land of everlasting day, 

They dressed him in a robe of white 
And have taken him there to stay. 



EULOGY TO OUR HEROES 

Sleep on thou brave, brave heroes, 
All thy work was nobly done, 

But the long and bloody battles 
Claimed thy comrades one by one. 

You have faced the firing cannon 
When you heard the general's call. 

And you marched when sick and weary, 
So you've suffered each and all. 

No one knows the pains you suffered 
In the swamps and on the plain, 

While you tramped, toiled and battled 
Greater rights for man to gain. 

But mo more will bugles call you 

To face the cannon's smoke and roar. 

For you conquered in the struggle 
And that bloody warfare's o'er. 

Sleep ye wounded, weary bodies. 
Comrades of our nation's life. 

Upon high live all your spirits 
And in heaven there is no strife. 

But today from peaceful labors 
We were gathered at thy graves, 

And with love we dropped the flowers 
With the words — here sleep our braves. 



The Bright Side of Living 99 

And we also waved that banner 
Of the red, the white, the blue, 

And we thanked the God above us 
That you fought as men most true. 

Comrades of our land and nation 

"Who in earthly battles trod. 
Form yourselves in grand procession 

For you now belong to God. 



THE END OF THE ROAD 

It's a long way to travel 

When you carry a heavy load, 
But surely there's a resting place 

At the end of the road. 

It's a long day to suffer 

When pains your body goad, 
And there seems to be no help 
Till the end of the road. 

It's a long task that keeps you 
Like the little climbing toad, 

As he keeps on in his climbing 
Till the end of the road. 

There are many heavy sorrows 
That come to man's abode, 

But some must carry them 
Till the end of the road. 



100 The Bright Side of Living 

Men have been seeking wealth 
As through the world they rode, 

And they'll keep on in the seeking 
Till the end of the road. 

It's a long, long desire 

And a tiresome waiting mode. 
From boyhood up to manhood 

Till the end of the road. 

It's a long path leading 

Where tired feet never strode, 

But just over the hill 
Is the end of the road. 



A MISTY DAY 

Did it ever 'Occur to you my friend 
There will come a misty day, 

When clouds shall gather o'er thy head 
And the sun shall hide away? 

When the friends of youth are gone 
And alone you battle in the tide, 

While the earth recedes from your view 
What deeds of thy life shall abide ? 

But the misty day that you viewed afar 
And feared when that day would come. 

At last like the slow moving caravan 
It has scattered its mist in thy home. 



The Bright Side of Living 101 

Your eye grows dim with the misty dew 
And your friends you no longer know, 

While around thy bark gathers the cloud 
And where, where, will thy spirit go? 

So with joy and vigor of a stalwart soul 
We meet in life and walk in the way, 

But soon we'll come to the end of the road 
To the beauty or gloom of that misty day. 



EVENING BELLS 

My boyhood life down in the dells 
Was often cheered by the evening bells 
Of church and school and that gay time 
When home was sweet and heaven was mine. 

But swiftly passed those days of glee 
And gone is many a heart from me 
That now in the silent city dwells 
And answers not those evening bells. 

Night follows day and soon is gone — 
But the church bell still is tolling on 
And echoes long in those shady dells 
A low sweet tune K)f the evening bells. 

And so will the tolling music be 
When my own soul pushes out to sea — 
Then other poets shall walk those dells 
And hear thy tune, sweet evening bells. 



102 The Bright Side of Living 

PUSHING OUT TO SEA 

The evening comes at last 
And all friends turn to see 

When the Spirit stands at the door 
As we push out to sea. 

He speaks in tender tones 
A message so plain for me 

''Do not go hence in v^eeping 
"When we push out to sea." 

Eventide and a low sweet tune 
Of a cooing dove in a tree, 

And the soul begins to know 
When we push out to sea. 

Passing from the little home 
To realms more pure and free 

may there be no weeping 
When you push out to sea. 

It may be a long, long journey 
But his bark will surely be 

A safe boat in which to sail 
When you push out to sea. 

Now the voyage is just begun 
And my Pilot I can see, 

So a long farewell I leave 
As we push out to sea. 

Eventide and the close of life 
Is the record that will be 

For friend and foe some day 
When we push out to sea. 



The Bright Side of Living 103 

HOME AT LAST 

When I reach my Father's house 

Just over the crystal sea, 
In those regions of delight 

"Where my soul would ever be ; 

When I lay my burdens down 
And rest from the toilsome way, 

I hope to enter the gates lof gold 
And with Jesus ever stay. 

When my cares and toils are o'er 
And I'm free from the storms that be. 

My soul shall bask in eternal bliss 
Where I 've yearned for years to be. 

When I've come to the end of the road 
And the days of my life are done, 

If I reach that harbor safely 
My crown of life will be won. 

Yes, I'm trusting in the blood 

Of that man of Galilee, 
For He says in His written Word 

He died to set the sinners free. 
Chorus : 
To glory my soul yearns to go 

And the crown of His love to wear. 
Then I will be happy in Jesus 

For saints of His grace will be there. 



